№35|It’s A Matter Of Trust
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It’s been 3 months since the DeVille Kids won the tournament, the Golden Dragons and the Ruby Rebels were back to business as usual in New York.

Cruella was woken up to the smell of chocolate chip pancakes, the sound of the plate being placed on her nightstand made her smile.

Hex crouched down beside Cruella, “Cruella~ wake up.”

Cruella opened one of her eyes to see Hex’s smiling face, “hello my little fireball.”

“Good morning, my lovely little panther.” Hex kissed her nose, “pancakes?”

Cruella sat up, wrapping the blankets around her as Hex passed her the plate of pancakes, “when did you get home?”

“Around 3am,” Hex sat beside her, “I’m sorry I’ve been working so much lately, the gang and the mechanics has been busy ever since we won.”

“It’s alright,” Cruella kissed his cheek, “the gang and the mechanics are important to you, I’m just glad we have moments like these.”

“So am I, mi amor,” Hex held her hand, “do you want to come with me to the mechanics today? I’m sure the crew would love to see you, you’ve been cooped up in your office working on designs since the tournament ended.”

“Well they did make me top designer ever since Catania left,” Cruella smiled, finishing up her pancakes, “it’s kinda amazing seeing my designs in stores!”

“I told you they’d be in stores, Cruella, now people everywhere are buying Designs By DeVille!” Hex cheered, cupping her hands.

Cruella was about to say something when Hex’s hands lit on fire, burning Cruella’s hands slightly, she hissed in pain.

“Sorry, I don't know what’s been happening lately but my fires have been out of control lately.” Hex sighed, shaking his head, reeling back the flames.

“It’s probably just some growing pains, you have gotten a lot stronger since the tournament.” Cruella told him, entering the bathroom.

“I guess,” Hex looked into the mirror, and then down at his hands, “normally I have my flames more in check.”

“Don't worry about it Hex,” Cruella smiled, kissing his forehead, “it’s probably nothing. I know you wouldn't burn me on purpose.”

Hex smiled, “you know I would never burn you.”

°•. ✿ .•°

“...witnesses say the flames were worse than hell itself. This is just one of the many fires that have happened over the past three months. Police say that the person setting these fires always leaves the same mark, a skull and crossbones engulfed by a black flame.”

“More updates as this dev-” before the reporter could finish, Sergio turned off the TV in the breakroom, “dammit, that’s that's another one of our allied gangs buildings burnt down.”

“The suspect is making their way all around New York and New Jersey, what if one of our bases is next?” Gabriella questioned, Eloise walked into the break room wearing her new school uniform which consisted of a white shirt and black skirt with black overalls straps.

“What’s wrong mommy?” Eloise asked, peeking her head over the table.

“More fires,” Gabriella sighed, “but that’s grown up stuff honey, we’ll deal with it. How was school?”

Eloise perked up, “amazing, mommy! I got my Water Magi down some! Wanna see?”

“Sure,” Gabriella smiled as she watched Eloise raise the water out of Gabriella’s cup and form it into a dolphin, “that’s amazing Eloise! You’re making great progress.”

“Thanks mommy! Me and Levi are gonna be in the backyard, bye!” Eloise waved goodbye before running to the backyard with a russet, reddish-brown, boy with silver, almost white, hair.

“Eloise! Wait up!” Levi called out.

Diane giggled, “her and Levi have been hanging out a lot lately. Young love is so beautiful at their age.”

Ector chuckled, soon turning back to the map, “it’s not just gangs they’re targeting, it’s covens too.”

“Have you heard back from Saree?” Sergio asked, Ector shook his head.

“She’s been in Transylvania trying to clean up the damage from the fire at her coven. I haven’t talked to her in weeks.” Ector sighed, frowning.

“I’m sure she’s okay, your vampire is a tough cookie, I’m sure she won't crack at a little fire.” Emma assured him.

“I just wish she picked up her phone...I don't even know if she’s okay!” Ector raked his hands through his hair.

“I told you, she’s fine,” Hex patted his shoulder, walking in with Cruella.

“I hope so…” Ector muttered, “anyways, the suspect is making their way through New York, either us or Emmanuel’s gang is next.”

“The Ruby Rebels?! My sister Marmalade is there…” Cruella whimpered.

“I’m sure Emmanuel is doing everything in his power to protect the base and Marmalade.” Hex smiled, Cruella nodded.

“So who do you think is doing all of this?” Diane asked, Sergio shrugged.

“I couldn't possibly know, I’ve never seen a symbol like that anywhere before.” Emma sighed.

“For the time being, up the security around the base, and make sure we have insurance on the base and the mechanics, if we get hit I want to make sure everything is insured.” 

His family nodded, rushing to complete his order.

Later that day, Cruella knocked on the door to Hex’s office, “come in!”

Cruella opened the door fully, smiling at her boyfriend, “I brought you some coffee, want some?”

“Sure,” Hex took the cup of coffee, taking a sip.

Cruella looked at the map, “another fire?”

“Yep, one of allies got hit this time, it’s either us or Emmanuel next and the stress is killing me.” Hex sighed, shaking his head.

“Hex, we’ll be fine, even if we get burnt down we have insurance.” Cruella assured him.

“But what I don't understand is who’s doing this and why.” Hex muttered, tapping his pencil ont the desk.

“Does the symbol look familiar to you?” Cruella asked.

“I've never seen this before, whoever's doing this is trying to send a message.” Hex pondered, “but who…”

“I'm sure they'll reveal themselves soon.” Cruella kissed his cheek.

“I just don't get it, why would they be attacking gangs? Most of the gangs around New York are pretty peaceful since me and Emmanuel ended our feud.” Hex leaned back in his chair, “something isn't right about all of this.”

“Do you have any enemies outside of New York?” Cruella questioned.

Hex thought about it. No, it couldn't be him. He shook the thought out of his head “not that I know of.”

“Why don't we go ask the other gangs who got attacked? Maybe they might know something.” Cruella suggested.

“That’s a good idea,” Hex passed Cruella her coat, walking out onto the snowy streets of New York.

Hex watched as Cruella laughed when snow fall on her nose “I love the snow.”

Hex held her hand, kissing her cheek “Cruella, I'm glad you're here with me.”

Cruella giggled “you know I would want to be anywhere else.”

Cherish that happiness Hex, cause you won't have it for long.

Hex stopped in his tracks, he hadn't heard that voice in such a long time. His breathing began to quicken, soon hyperventilating.

“Hex, what's wrong?” Cruella delicately asked, her eyes gleaming with concern.

“No...get out of my head... you're supposed to be dead.” Hex muttered, Cruella held his hands.

“Hex, what are you talking about?” Cruella worryment began to heighten.

“Its not possible…” Hex closed his eyes, shaking his head, the voice cackling as it faded to the back of his mind.

“Hex!” Cruella yelled, grabbing the fire user's attention. He started into her black irises, the worry he promised she would never experience again was there, “what was that?”

“Nothing.” Hex brushed off, continuing walking.

Cruella folded her arms over her chest, not moving, “you promised me no more secrets. Remember?”

Hex sighed, nodding, he turned back towards Cruella, “I know, it's just...I heard this voice in my head…a voice I haven't heard in ages.”

Cruella held onto his hand again, “old girlfriends?”

“What? No, Roxy's dead and I wouldn't get scared at her voice. Plus she shows up as a spirit, not in my head,” Hex looked up at the sky, “this was different.”

“Orphanage?” Cruella asked.

Hex shook his head, “no, I'll explain when we get home. It's a really long story.”

He stopped when the two reached the burnt down base of the Emerald Pythons

“Ivanka? Julius?” Hex called out.

“Back here!” a cheery voice called out, “come on! I've seen you men lift a car and you're telling me this is too heavy?!”

Cruella and Hex traveled to the back to see a woman with tawny, sunset gold, skin. She had beautiful white, almost sliver, hair and ocean blue eyes. She wore a white crop top with white shorts and black shoes.

“Hex! Pleasure to see you!” Ivanka smiled, picking up the metal beam and placing it in the ground.

Cruella stood there with her mouth wide open in shock, “how…”

“Ivanka is a giant.” Hex shortly explained.

“For a giant she’s offly short.” Cruella noticed.

“She’s just in her human form,” Hex replied. Ivanka walked towards them.

“How have you been, Ivanka? We heard about the fire.” Hex frowned, Ivanka sighed.

“I’m just thankful nobody got hurt,” Ivanka smiled, “but the rebuilding is the hardest part.”

Ivanka noticed Cruella, her eyes widened, “I know you! You’re the girl that kicked that witch’s ass in the DeVille Cup!”

“Yeah,” Cruella rubbed the back of her neck, chuckling nervously, “that witch was my mother, only on paper though, my real mother is someone else.”

“But enough about me, you must be so stressed, Ivanka.” Cruella patted her shoulder.

“You wanna see stressed,” she scoffed, leading them inside where renovisions were being made. They made it all the way to the back room to see a man with red hair, his red eyes clearly sleep deprived.

“Julius,” Ivanka rubbed his shoulder, “I thought you said you would go to sleep?”

“I tried, it’s kinda hard to sleep when you have nightmares though…” Julius sighed, raking his fingers through his hair.

“He hasn't slept since the fire,” Ivanka sighed, kissing the top of his head, “honey, Hex wants to ask us some questions.”

“Shoot,” Julius yawned, pulling Ivanka onto his lap.

“How did the fire start?” Hex asked, Cruella pulled out a little notebook, ready to take notes.

“It was weird...we were just hanging out then all of a sudden some man came in demanding something called the Eternal Flame.” Julius began, looking down at his coffee, “we told him we didn’t know what that was but that just angered him. One by one he went through our members, he grabbed a bottle of tequila from the bar and said if we didn’t tell him what he wanted to know he’d burn our base to the ground.”

“We though he was bluffing,” Ivanka frowned, “little we know he wasn’t, he lit the bottle and it exploded, causing the massive fire. The only thing that he left behind was the symbol of the black skull engulfed by a flame.”

Hex clenched the armrest of the chair, “no...it’s not possible…”

Hex eyed Julius, Julius inhaled sharply, “Hex, it might be…”

“No way!” Hex stood up in rage, “i-i-it just don't make sense! I saw the paper! We all saw the paper! N-No! I just refuse to believe this! It just can't be!”

“Hex, what are you talking about?” Cruella asked, putting away the notepad.

“She doesn't know?” Ivanka questioned.

“Of course she doesn't know! I’m not making that mistake again!” Hex shook his head, “the less she knows the better.”

“Hexiciah!” Cruella shouted, “I. Am. Your. Girlfriend. Stop talking about me like I’m not in the room! You promised me no more secrets so tell me what’s going on! Don't you trust me, Hex?!”

“Cruella,” Hex sighed, turning towards her, “it’s not that I don't trust you Cruella, I trust you completely, it’s just...I don't want you to get hurt.”

“Last time I checked, I’ve gotten hurt before and I’ve gotten up!” Cruella stated, she looked away from Hex, “I tell you everything Hex, I trust you with my whole heart, but I guess it wasn’t the same.”

Cruella picked up her purse and walked out, “call me when you’re ready to trust me! Until then, I don't want to see you ever again!”

°•. ✿ .•°

“What do you mean she just ran off?” Mama repeated, watching as her son paced back and forth.

“She got mad because I didn’t tell her about it,” he eyed Emma and Sergio, “ya know,” they both nodded, “and she thought I didn’t trust her! Now she doesn't want to talk to me until I can trust her!”

“Just tell her about it then, you know it’s coming,” Sergio stated, Hex sighed.

“You don't understand, Pa, he destroys everything! He’s worse that Juniper! If I told Cruella, he’d know in an instant and I’d lose her!” Hex collapsed into the breakroom chair, “if I lose Cruella I’m done for! She’s the love of my life! The woman I want to be with forever!”

He scrunched up his fist, “but if I don't tell her...I could lose her...but if I do tell her...I could lose her! There’s no winning!”

“Hex,” Emma smacked him upside the head, “stop being an idiot and tell her! She’s strong! She’ll be fine!”

“But what if she isn't?! What if he gets to her?!” Hex began to worry.

“But if you don't tell her, you’ll lose her! So you gotta choose Hex, are you gonna lose Cruella or lose to him?” Sergio wagered, by the look in his son’s eyes he got the answer he was looking for.

°•. ✿ .•°

Random articles of Hex’s clothing were being thrown through the house in anger, “how dare he! I poured my being into this man and what do I get?!” she looked at her dalmations, “bull shit! That’s what I get! Bull fucking shit!”

Blitz whimpered, Cruella petted under his chin, “no, no, I’m not mad at you. I’m mad at your owner.”

She pulled out the draw that held Hex’s shirts, she began flinging them out the bedroom door and down the hallway of her apartment, “I spent...2 years...love that man!” she threw his shoes outside the door, “2 years...giving him all of me! Just to realize he never trusted me!”

“That sounds like my little brother,” Salis’ voice made Cruella jump up, she slowly turned around to face the man.

“Who the hell are you?! Get out of my apartment! I don't want visitors right now.” Cruella sniffled, wiping her tears.

“I won't be long dear,” Salis wiped her tears, “why don't you tell me why you’re crying?”

“My stupid boyfriend has no faith in me…” Cruella muttered, “he’s been hiding this stupid secret from me when we promised no secrets.”

“Well that’s just terrible,” Salis stroked her cheek, “if I were him, I’d tell you my secrets in an instant!”

“Thank you!” Cruella stated, “it’s not that hard! Like he’s told me everything else but this he can't?!”

“You shouldn’t be with a man like that, a man who doesn’t trust his woman is no good.” Salis shook his head, lighting a tiny flame that heated up her tears to the point of evaporation, “a woman like you shouldn’t be crying either.”

“You have more control over your flames than he does,” Cruella chuckled softly, “I’m sorry, I never caught your name.”

“Salis, Salis Reyes.” Salis introduced.

“Cruella,” Cruella shook his hand, “Cruella DeVille.”

Salis chuckled. Cruella looked at him weirdly, “what’s so funny?”

“Nothing, just thinking about what a sucker your ex was for not trusting you.” Salis smirked, “his loss.”

Cruella nodded, smiling at Salis, “yeah, his loss.”

~A/N~

Why hello!! Wasn't this a great start to the last arc?! Huh? Huh? Like I said, this will be ten chapters long but a lot of action will be packed into these ten chapters!

Also! Apparently a lot of you want me to do a Queen of Hearts story after Wereology. So get ready, cause your wish is granted! I made a cover and everything!

Once again, this will be posted AFTER WEREOLOGY. Key word: AFTER

Speaking of Wereology, it will be posted on the 28th of September! Yes that's right we have an official release date (well technically the face claim/characters sheet will be posted on the 25th of September and then chapter one will be on the 28th the September)

But anyways! I hope you enjoy the first chapter of this beautiful last arc and I'll see y'all on Friday!